Punta Gorda Airport Ends 2018 With Significant Accomplishments

Year-End Passenger Traffic Up 22%

Punta Gorda, FL (January 8, 2019) – The Charlotte County Airport Authority (CCAA) has announced the Punta Gorda Airport (PGD) passenger count for 2018 totaled 1,577,164. This is a 21.95% increase in passenger traffic for 2018 compared with 1,293,337 total passengers in 2017.

For the month of December 2018, the total passenger count was 131,423. There were 62,617 boarding passengers and 68,806 arriving passengers, a 2.36% increase over December 2017. The total annual passenger count has continued to increase each year, advancing the airport’s status as an important transportation and economic asset for Charlotte County.

“This has been an outstanding year for the Punta Gorda Airport,” said CCAA Board Chair Pam Seay. “Not only have we welcomed more travelers to Charlotte County, we’ve continued strong revenue streams, increased our cash reserves and made great progress on important airport projects.”

“We look forward to projects that will further improve the commercial passenger experience, from expanding parking to making the terminal curbside safer and the roadways more efficient,” said PGD’s CEO James W. Parish.

In 2019, the CCAA will continue working toward the rehabilitation and expansion of Runways 15-33 and 14-22, and will break ground on a new General Aviation Center off Challenger Road at the north end of the airport.

2018 has been a significant year for PGD. Among the accomplishments, PGD:

Closed Fiscal Year 2018 with more than $10 million in cash reserves and strong revenues ($14.5 million) over expenses ($10.3 million).

Substantially completed the Master Plan Update and submitted the final draft for FAA approval.

Increased the number of commercial aircraft spaces from seven to 10 by completing an air carrier ramp construction project.

Allegiant celebrated 40 million travelers through Florida by giving everyone on a flight from PGD to Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) a refund for their airfare.

Western Michigan University’s College of Aviation experienced continued success and increased student enrollment.

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About Punta Gorda Airport

The Charlotte County Airport Authority (CCAA), governed by five elected commissioners, owns and operates the Punta Gorda Airport (PGD), located at 28000 Airport Road, five minutes east of I-75, Exit 161. PGD provides quick and easy access to Southwest Florida, and is home to air charters, medical transport services, aircraft maintenance and avionics repair, as well as flight schools, distributers and manufacturers. CCAA is a nontaxing entity and operates as an enterprise fund, totally supported by revenue generated from its operations including rental car concession, parking, fuel sales and hangar, building and land leases. A 2017 economic impact study by Volaire Aviation Consulting estimated that PGD is responsible for 3,618 full-time jobs and $353.2 million in regional economic output. For more information, visit www.flypgd.com.